Saturday, June 29, 2013 7:23 pm

Searchers looking for Mt. Hood climber spot body

The Associated Press

Authorities searching for a climber who has been missing on Mount Hood since last weekend said Saturday that they have spotted a body near the top of a glacier.

Oregon Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter crews made the discovery at an altitude of about 8,400 feet, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The sheriff's office said officials believe there's a high probability that the body belongs to Kinley Adams, a 59-year-old Salem dentist who failed to return June 22 from a climb on the west side of Oregon's tallest mountain.

The terrain is extremely difficult and authorities won't be able to reach the body on Saturday. Recovery teams will begin to try to reach the body early Sunday.

Avalanche risk from warming temperatures prevented rescue teams from climbing to the upper part of the 11,239-foot peak.

Adams is an experienced climber who had been making frequent trips to Mount Hood in preparation for a trip to Nepal. He is thought to have a cellphone, but searchers have been unable to pinpoint the signal. His mountain locator beacon was found at home, apparently with gear he was planning to take to Nepal.

He was reported missing Saturday night, about six hours after he was due to return. His vehicle was found on the mountain at Timberline Lodge.